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Benfica, Jose Mourinho laments heavy absences against Napoli

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Benfica coach Jose Mourinho on the eve of the Champions League match against Napoli said the absences in his team’s ranks weigh more than those of Napoli: “Not having De Bruyne but having McTominay is the same. Napoli’s bench is different, if you see who is playing you forget who is missing. By changing the system of play they have become a better team. I have heavy absences, but I don’t want to cry”, said the Special One, former coach of Roma and Inter Milan, on the eve of the sixth “championship” match of the continent’s top club competition.

Martino DavidiJosé Mourinho doubles down: he wants two champions from Bayern Munich. Photo

José Mourinho doubles down: wants two champions from Bayern Munich
The experienced Portuguese coach wants to increase the rate of d'experience of his Benfica
The Portuguese club is mainly evaluating expiring footballers and has set its sights on two Bayern Munich champions
The first target is Raphaël Guerreiro, who has never hidden his support for Benfica
He is unlikely to remain at Bayern Munich and his entourage is already considering alternative solutions
For Guerreiro there's also the Saudi Arabia option but he doesn&#039t seem interested in leaving European soccer
José Mourinho will have to fight especially for Juventus to sign the Portuguese full-back
The'other champion in Benfica’s sights is Leon Goretzka, also on contract expiration
L'last year he was very close to the'farewell, then he stayed. This summer the transfer could materialize
He also has offers from the Premier League, Manchester United above all, but Mourinho esteems him highly
The Special One could move firsthand to convince Goretzka
Of course the presence of Jose Mourinho has increased the'attractiveness of the Benfica option

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Benfica is coming off 4 defeats in Europe and has only 3 points thanks to the win with Ajax’Ajax. “With Chelsea we played a very good game, lost by an own goal, as well as in the league. We always lost because of individual mistakes but in the tactical organization the team is stronger – Mourinho said, adding that knowing Napoli well can help -. But that does not mean their qualities are inferior – he clarified -. It is a very strong team, they won two Scudettos in a very short period of time. Right now it is a team that plays very differently than it did at the beginning of the championship, and I like the way they play now more than before. But it is impossible to think that Conte&#8217s teams are poor, there is a compactness and tactical awareness of the highest level. He is very demanding in the market, always finding ways to build a strong squad. From the point of view of preparation he is one of the best”.

Mourinho then did not leak any hints about the lineup he will field from the start. “I won&#8217t tell you who will play and who won&#8217t, I know that of the 23 available to me many are debuting with me, others are coming from the youth. Everything that will happen in the game and the influence of the market occupies zero of my thinking. I start from the principle that there is no market, tomorrow only the result will count. We have to win this game against a very strong opponent, it will be a very difficult game for us. We will do everything to find the result and as long as math gives me hope I am aiming for qualification”.

José Mourinho, 62, has won a Champions League in Europe with Porto in 2004 and one with Inter Milan in 2010, a Europa League with Porto in 2003 and one with Manchester United in 2017, and a Conference League with Roma in 2022. He has been at Benfica since Sept. 18.

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